It’s not too late to chuck in the towel and head for somewhere else this season…

Looking to get away from the madness this year? Suddenly realised you’d rather be somewhere gorgeous for the silly season? It’s not too late to look at getting away from it all – so where are the best places to go for Christmas and New Year? We’ve rounded up a few that we like the look of…

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

For those of us happy to trade away the British grey, there’s sunshine, safaris and stunning star-filled skies waiting in Kenya.

Imagine spending Christmas day on an incredible wildlife spotting safari, with zebra, elephants and rhino basking in the beautiful wilderness around you. You could ride out on horseback for an exciting Christmas adventure, or take a scenic flight to take in the sights from a new angle.

Visitors can also enjoy local cuisine and culture, gorgeous temperatures averaging 24-28°C, and clear views of an incredible starlit sky.

Special things going on over Christmas

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have just opened their new Private Wilderness where groups of up to 10 guests can enjoy a more secluded wilderness experience.

There are 10 cabins, each with an ensuite bathroom, as well as a shared private chef and tour guide.

Where to stay

If you want to stay somewhere that’s right in the heart of the wilderness, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the place to be. They’ve got 64,000 acres of stunning wilderness to explore, incredible safaris, bush breakfasts and the Private Wilderness available. There’s even a visit from Santa on camelback for a bit of family friendly Christmas fun, as well as crab fishing and pony rides.

Costs

December rates at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy start from approximately £988 per person per night, and from approximately £8,406 per night for Private Wilderness (based on a minimum of 6 people).

Stargazing in Tenerife

It’s not just about the warmer climes. Tenerife is the perfect Christmas destination for astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike. And there’s the Geminids meteor shower set to peak on the 13th-14th December, meaning now is the ideal time to make some exciting new Christmas memories.

With high altitudes, minimal light pollution and crisp winter air, Tenerife is one of the best places to stargaze in the world. So why not spend an unforgettable Christmas getting lost in endless starlight?

Special things going on over Christmas

Spring Hotels is offering Atlántico Excursions’ Night Skies Tenerife tours, where visitors can use powerful telescopes and lasers to experience the night sky like never before. Each tour is accompanied by multilingual astronomy guides, and has options for dinner, hotel pick-up and self-driving tours.

Where to stay

Spring Hotels boasts multiple outdoor pools, fitness facilities, restaurants, bars and a spa all within its grounds. And beyond the hotel grounds, guests can enjoy gorgeous beaches and local attractions all along the southern coast.

For stargazers, the hotel is only an hour’s drive from Teide National Park, an excellent spot to watch the upcoming meteor shower.

Travel & costs

Flights from London to Tenerife are available throughout winter. For a 7-night stay, including flights from London Heathrow, a Double Standard room on a Half Board basis, starts from £1,566 per couple.

Northern Lights, ICEHOTEL and sledding in Swedish Lapland

If you’re looking for more of a magical, snow-filled Christmas experience, Swedish Lapland has all that and more. Between serene snow-covered forests, frozen archipelagos and stunning snow-capped mountains, there is no shortage of festive magic.

Spend the season enjoying reindeer rides, sled dog explorations and snowmobile excursions all beneath the alluring Northern Lights. Or just enjoy a bit of peace amidst the holiday hubbub, taking in the endless skies and serenity of Sweden.

Where to stay

For a truly unforgettable Christmas, the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi offers an experience like no other. Everything, whether that be the bed you sleep in or the glass in your hand, is expertly carved from pure ice. Winter doesn’t get more magical than sleeping in your very own ice palace!

Or if you book before December 16th, you can experience Sunvil’s seven-night Winter Delights in Swedish Lapland holiday, with costs starting at £2,030 per person for a sharing couple, including return flights from London Heathrow.

Adults only in Mauritius

Hoping to escape the gloomy grey of a British winter? Why not spend the season sunbathing on the beautiful sandy shores of Mauritius?

Mauritius is home to gorgeous beaches, warm weather and sunlit skies that are sure to brighten up the festive season. Explore the beautiful Blue Bay Lagoon, or just take some well-earned rest by the beach, looking out over the stunning Indian Ocean.

Where to stay

Shandrani Beachcomber is situated on the stunning south-east coast of Mauritius, overlooking the Blue Bay Lagoon. With freshly redesigned rooms, spa, sauna, beauty parlour, hair salon and pool, there’s no shortage of self-care and relaxation.

For couples, the “Shandrani for Two” adults-only experience is a fab way to have a romantic Christmas getaway. The new exclusive adults-only wing features 69 rooms with private beach access, beachfront bar and dining area.

Travel & Costs

You can fly to Mauritius from London Gatwick with Air Mauritius. Return flights are around £600, and nightly rates at Shandrani Beachcomber start from £219 for 2 sharing adults on a half board basis.

And right now, Shandrani Beachcomber has a Christmas special offer, with a 35% discount on accommodation, including meal plan, for stays booked before 26th December 2025.

Winter sports in the Austrian Alps

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austrian Tyrol

If you’re looking to stay active during the festive months, the Austrian alps make for an unforgettable snow sports holiday. And it’s not just skiing and snowboarding – there’s tobogganing, winter hiking, paragliding, and even zip-wires to really get the adrenaline pumping.

Special things going on over Christmas

Spend your winter evenings at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis’ incredible adventure nights. They’ve got spectacular evening ski shows with lights, music and fireworks, as well as regular live music, cultural events, and more.

Where to stay

Schlosshotel Fiss is a five-star, mostly all-inclusive luxury hotel in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Alcohol is charged separately, but it does offer breakfast, lunch and dinner as part of the room rate.

It boasts not only an exciting range of snow sports and activities, but also 5000m2 of wellness and spa facilities, including a Finnish panorama sauna and a 250m2 panorama pool with incredible views to take in as you swim.

After a long day of activities (or just chilling by the pool), you can treat yourself to phenomenal food and drink awarded a Michelin Star for dining, as well as Michelin Key hospitality.

For families, there’s a wide range of family friendly activities available, including a newly re-designed Kids Club. There are daily supervised activities for both kids and teens ranging from glitter tattoos to archery to pizza making.

Costs

Nightly rates are from roughly €526 per room (1-3 nights) and €472 per room (4+ nights).

Lake Como, Italy

Italy is a classic holiday destination famous for its amazing cuisine and gorgeous sights. And for those of us hoping for a more sophisticated Christmas, it’s absolutely the place to be.

At Hilton Lake Como’s Terrazza 241, you can find a culinary experience like no other, specially curated for the Christmas season. Enjoy an elegant dining experience featuring unique flavour pairings, bespoke cocktails, and gorgeous panoramic views.

There are also endless opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation beside the elegant Lake Como through hydrotherapy, saunas and more. Experience their floating meditation bath, with warm mineral-rich waters that will ease any lingering festive tension and allow you to end the year with a deep sense of peace.

Special things going on over Christmas

Terrazza 241 has its special Christmas Tasting Menu throughout December. It captures the essence of the holidays through a carefully curated à la carte menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients. Each meal is accompanied by the gorgeous views of Como, as well as soft music and warm lights.

Where to stay

Hilton Lake Como is available all holiday season, with wheelchair accessible rooms available as well as family friendly activities. They have a heated rooftop swimming pool open all year round with breathtaking views of Lake Como, as well as lakeside views from your balcony.

Costs

At Hilton Lake Como, nightly rates start at €350 per night based on double occupancy with breakfast included.

Biosphere and Starlight reserve La Palma, Canary Islands

La Palma in the Canary Islands is the perfect place to find warmth and sunshine in the winter months.

Looking for something chilled and back-to-naturey? Located in the north-west of the Canary Islands, La Palma is a Biosphere and Starlight Reserve tucked away from regular tourist spots. The island’s black sand beaches are not only beautiful but uncrowded, letting you enjoy the season in peace.

And beyond the beaches, you’ll find cobbled streets rich with authentic Canarian culture – none of the touristy stuff. Not to mention the gorgeous architecture, beautiful vineyards, and incredible cuisine, all in sunny 20-25°C weather.

Special things going on over Christmas

During the festive season, La Palma has family friendly festivities of music and traditional carols filling the streets. And the party keeps going through to New Year, with local volcanic wines and traditional Canarian cuisine, each rich in both flavour and culture.

Best way to get here

There are weekly flights from London to La Palma Airport, including direct flights.

Ummahat Island, Saudi Arabia

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ummahat Island, Saudi Arabia.

Hoping to spend the season somewhere warm, beautiful and, most importantly, quiet? Ummahat Island in Saudi Arabia offers just that, giving its guests the opportunity to really slow down and embrace the rhythm of the Red Sea.

With gorgeous untouched reefs, an expansive night sky of stars and the sea itself stretching endlessly beyond, Ummahat Island is a stunningly peaceful spot to spend the holidays.

You can spend the season planting mangroves at the resort’s conservation centre, or gazing into one of the world’s clearest skies with a resident astronomer.

Special things going on over Christmas

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a range of signature festive events, including Saudi coffee-making, a starlit New Year’s Eve gala, bonfire gatherings and lunar flow yoga.

Where to stay

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is right in the heart of a secluded archipelago, surrounded by uncharted reefs and panoramic views. It offers a range of exciting seasonal events, as well as its very own Neyrah Spa, offering transformative wellness experiences inspired by the stars and the Arabian Peninsula itself.

The resort has four restaurants to choose from, each offering a range of global cuisines for a unique dining experience, whether you wish to enjoy traditional dishes, seafood or even a French-style patisserie.

Travel & costs

You can get a direct flight from the UK, or international flights to the Red Sea International Airport with an additional transfer by speedboat or seaplane.

Rates at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve start from £2,388 per person per night.

Christmas markets, family time, and Finnish food in Helsinki

Helsinki offers more of a traditional Christmas feel reframed within the gorgeous capital of Finland. You can spend the season exploring beautiful Christmas markets, sampling the local Finnish food scene and enjoying local art festivals.

Whether you’re exploring the many sights of the city or basking in the beauty of the Baltic Sea, there is plenty of beauty, culture and festive spirit to be found.

Special things going on over Christmas

For an extravagant Christmas lunch, you can enjoy restaurants like Nokka, Svenska Klubben or Strindberg, as well as traditional glögi and gingerbread in local Christmas markets and cafes. And don’t forget Finland’s most famous pastime, the sauna. There are loads of saunas to warm your body in whilst you’re there!

A highlight of the season is Lucia Day on 13 December, when Helsinki crowns its own Lucia to bring light into the darkest time of the year. The Finnish Lucia tradition dates back to the 1950s and remains one of the most cherished symbols of hope and brightness in the Nordic winter.

The celebration of light continues into the new year with Lux Helsinki (4–8 January 2026), a spectacular light art festival that illuminates landmarks, parks and hidden corners across the city. Showcasing both Finnish and international artists, Lux Helsinki brings creative brilliance to the darkest time of year and offers a stunning finale to the festive season.

Where to stay

Marski by Scandic offers its guests a range of facilities including saunas, a gym, and an art gallery featuring local artists. It also has its own bar, Marski Bar, with a DJ playing every Friday and Saturday night. For some more Christmassy fun, there’s tree decorating, gingerbread icing and sparkling Christmas drinks available at the bar.

Marski is pet friendly (at an additional cost) and family friendly, with children under 12 able to stay free and receive a welcome drink as a member benefit.

There’s also the Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, which offers a huge range of activities for the whole family, including sauna sessions, a special Christmas Land and Elf Trail just for children, candlelight concert, visits from Father Christmas and loads more. They have a dedicated Christmas page with full details.

Getting there

There are several flights from UK to Helsinki. Guests can take the Airport train to the city centre and/or a tram to their destinations.

Costs

A classic double room at Marski by Scandic starts at €152 per night.

South Ari Atoll, Maldives

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Why not spend the festive season away from thick coats and busy high streets, and instead immerse yourself in sun, sand and sea?

For those looking to relax this winter, South Ari Atoll is home to calming beaches, exclusive resorts and rich Maldivian culture to really immerse yourself in. Or for the adventurous, it’s also one of the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks! The winter is the best time to travel to this destination, where you’re guaranteed plenty of luxurious beachside action.

Where to stay

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is situated on a private island, offering absolute peace and tranquillity during your stay. Enjoy culinary masterclasses, slow atmospheric evenings, cinema under the stars and palms, and even brand-new aerial yoga.

The resort is family friendly, with kids 12 and under able to stay and dine for free. There are also Family Beach Villas for up to five guests, and a Treehouse Kids Retreat offering daily activities and adventures for kids.

Travel & costs

Flying to the Maldives from the UK usually involves a stopover in a Middle Eastern hub (like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) or Colombo, taking 12+ hours from the UK, though direct flights (10-11 hrs) are available from London (LHR) with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé. From there you can reach the resort via a short scenic seaplane trip.

OUTRIGGER is currently running their annual Cyber Sale for up to 50% off and a range of bonus inclusions. Prices currently start at £850 per night, or from £5,699 per person for 7 nights half board in an Over Water Villa, including flights departing Heathrow.

Passenger Assistance

Need a bit of help with booking or travel? We found this app and feel it’s worth knowing about. Passenger Assistance is an accessibility app developed by Transreport designed to help make festive journeys smoother for disabled users and those who find the organisation of travelling tough.

Travellers can request support directly from train operators, making sure their journey is all confirmed and planned in advance. It also makes booking assistance quicker, more flexible and intuitive. It streamlines the process and helps ensure rail travel remains accessible for everyone, even during the busy Christmas period.

You can find the Passenger Assistance app here.